Governor Davis has signed a bill into law that would allow California students to take their cell phones and pagers to school if school boards decide to permit their use.

The action lifts a statewide ban on cell phones and other “electronic signaling devices” enacted in the 1980s to stop on-campus drug trafficking. The legislation was written by Senator Liz Figueroa.

Davis says that by allowing school districts to let its students use cell phones and pagers, families will be able to communicate better and students will feel safer at school.